Refrigerator-shelf.



No. 676,381. Patented June ll, 190i. C W. W. BALL. REFRIGERATOR SHELF.

(N M d l) (Application filed Mar. 22, 1901.)

WITNESSES IN VEl V 0/? A TTOH/VE Y 8 m: uanms versus cu, wo-ro-umo, vasumr-wn. n. c

UNITED STATES PATENT O FICE.

CHARLES W. W. BALL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRM or COOPER & MOKEE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

REFRIGERATOR-SHELF.

SPECIFICATION forming part of? Letters Patent No. 676,381, dated June 11, 1901.

Application filed March 22, 1901. Serial. No. 52,285. (Ho model.)

To all whom, it may concern.- v

Be it known that 1, CHARLES V. V. BALL, acitizen of the United States, residing in New York, borough of Manhattan, in the State of New York, haveinvented certain new and usefullmprovements in Refrigerator-Shelves, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved construction of shelf for refrigerators, such shelf combining adequate strength with an attractive and finished appearance. Shelves for the provision chambers of refrigerators were heretofore generally made of galvanized sheet-iron, zinc, or wood. These shelves became unsightly after they were in use for some time, due to rust, corrosion, and deterioration. My improved shelf for refrigerators is intended to Overcome the defects of the shelves heretofore in use and to substitute in place thereof a strong and attractive and cleanly shelf that retains its strength and bright appearance.

The present invention consists of a shelf for refrigerators which comprises suitable bars or ribs, each provided with a'covering layer of aluminium lapped around the edges of the same and end strips of aluminium suitably secured to and connecting the said bars, as will be hereinafter described and then pointed out in the claim. i

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a refrigerator provided with my improved shelves. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the shelves removed from the refrigerator. Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a vertical longitudinal section on line 3 3 and a vertical transverse section on line 4 4, Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a Vertical transverse section through a modified construction of the bars or ribs of the shelf.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A A represent parallel bars or ribs of my improved shelf for refrigerators. A plurality of these bars or ribs are provided for each shelf, according to the size of the provision=chamber. Each bar or rib A is formed of two layers, a heavier reinforcing layer a of sheet metal or other suitable material and a covering layer of sheet-aluminium a, which is preferably thinner and is folded over the latter, the edges extending over the edges of the reinforces Ct of the bars or stays A.

Each bar of theshelf maybe of any suitable crosssection, preferably either U-shaped, as shown in. Fig. 4, or with underturned edges ed, as shown in Fig. 5, the covering or face layer of aluminium being lapped over the edges of the reinforces, as shown. The ends of the bars or stays A are preferably riveted 'to transversely bent connecting pieces or strips 13, made of aluminium, the strips extending over the top, over the ends, and lapped under the end portions of the bars, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The end strips B are made of aluminium, which imparts, in connection with the aluminium covering of the bars, a verybright and attractive appearance to the shelf. My improved ref rigerator-shelf has the advantages that it combines the strength of the reinforces and the aluminium with the bright and burnished appearance of the aluminium,

while it can be more easily cleaned than the galvanized sheet-metal or other shelves heretofore used.

Another advantage of my improved shelf is that the thin layers of aluminium used for the bars and end strips of the shelf add but little, if anything, (as they are more durable than former shelves) to the expense ofthe shelf, while the reinforcing layers impart the required strength and durability to the shelf, which would not be the case were the same made entirely of sheet-aluminium. I

Having thus described my invention, 1

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- A shelf for refrigerators, consisting of parallel bars or ribs, each bar or rib being composed of a rein-forcing layer of sheet metal, U -shaped in cross-section, and a thinner covering layer of sheet metal, such'as aluminium, lapped around the flanges of the U-shaped reinforcing layer so as to cover the edges of said flanges and extend along the inner surfaces of said flanges, and end strips riveted to and connecting the ends of the bars, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHAS. WV. WV. BALL.-

lVitnessesi PAUL GOEPEL,

GEORGE GEIBEL. 

